Suyash Shukla graduated from the pioneer cohort of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and is now currently working at Hewlett- Packard (HP). He speaks with the DIGEST team to share some interesting aspects of his career life as an engineer.
Hi Suyash, can you give our readers a short introduction about yourself?
Suyash: Hi everyone. I came from Mumbai, India, but Singapore has been my home since 2007. I graduated in 2013 from the pioneer batch of the Bachelor of Science program in Electrical Engineering at TUM Asia, which started back in 2010. Recently, I completed a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Singapore Management University (SMU) and I am also happy to share that I recently became a Singapore citizen. Presently, I am patiently waiting to see where life takes me next.
Is there a reason why you chose to pursue a degree in engineering?
Suyash: After working for a little under a year after my Diploma in Electronics, I wanted to go back to university to enhance my engineering skills. I have always had an interest in engineering and the underlying technologies. I have also always enjoyed trouble- shooting and learning with a hands-on approach. This eventually led me to enroll in the SIT-TUM degree.
“AT WORK, THERE ARE TIMES I AM REQUIRED TO UNDERSTAND THE MOTHERBOARD DESIGNS AND SCHEMATICS AS WELL AS TO CONDUCT DFMEAS AND OTHER FAILURE ANALYSIS. THESE ARE ENGINEERING SKILLS THAT I HAVE PICKED UP DURING MY STUDIES AT TUM ASIA.”.
Can you share one or two of your fondest memories as a TUM Asia student, and why it was special?
Suyash: The fondest memory at TUM Asia was my Overseas Immersion Programme (OIP) where I got to travel to Munich, and the rest of Europe. I can never get over my first travel experience in Europe, especially because of the SNOW! Over a period of four months, I traveled to about ten cities across five countries. Traveling was a bi-weekly affair, while the other weekends were spent in Munich itself, together with my classmates, either bar-hopping or clubbing.
How has working life been for you since graduation?
Suyash: Upon graduation, I joined Thales Avionics as a Technical support engineer. Following that, I joined Hewlett-Packard (HP) as a quality engineer. Besides managing the product qualifications of HP’s Inkjet printers, I have also been actively involved in HP’s Employee Engagement Council, where I get to organize company events such as Dinner and Dance. I am also glad to be able to implement new ideas while working at HP and was awarded for some of these ideas.
Cool! Can you share with us an example of these ideas?
Suyash: One of the awards I received was for HP’s Sandbox challenge, where I implemented a Go-to-market strategy for HP’s newly launched Sprocket (a pocket printer). Another one was for coming up with an innovative and efficient test method.
Is there an interesting assignment that you have been working on in your job?
Suyash: At work, we are currently in the process of reinventing and transforming. Due to the ever-changing business dynamics, we need to constantly be ready for change to stay competitive. Currently, we are trying to improve the way we execute product qualifications, certifications and testing and work together with our vendors and manufacturing partners. (Oh, I’m stressed already)
“WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF REINVENTING AND TRANSFORMING. DUE TO THE EVER-CHANGING BUSINESS DYNAMICS, WE NEED TO CONSTANTLY BE READY FOR CHANGE TO STAY COMPETITIVE.”
Was there anything from your degree studies that benefited your career choice?
Suyash: Definitely! At work, there are times I am required to understand the motherboard designs and schematics as well as to conduct DFMEAs and other failure analysis. These are engineering skills that I have picked up during my studies at TUM Asia.
If you could offer a piece of advice to your juniors who are soon entering the workforce, what would it be?
Suyash: My advice to the graduating juniors would be firstly, to always remember to appreciate yourself. Do not blindly join the “race for success”, which is never- ending! At times, it is important to take a break and give yourself a pat at the back. Secondly, to stay humble. Always consult your seniors or managers for their advices. As Winston Churchill once said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen”
TUM Asia turns 15 this year! Do you have anything you would like to say your fellow alumni?
Suyash: I would like to wish TUM Asia a very Happy Birthday! Keep up the good name and reputation! For Alumni from the Undegraduate program, I hope that each one of you keeps in touch with your classmates through periodical gatherings or the various alumni events that are organized by SIT or TUM Asia. We should recognize all the hard work put in by the staff in organizing such events, my favorite being the Alumni Movie Night!
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Suyash studied in the Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Electrical Engineering & Information Technology with the Technical University of Munich. He studied in the Singapore branch campus (TUM Asia) and spent three months in Munich, Germany to complete his thesis at the home campus of the university.
To read the full interview with Suyash, it was first published in our DIGEST newsletter (May 2018). View the e-newsletter here >>
TUM Asia administrates the TUM Bachelor degrees together with the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). GCE ‘A’ Levels, Polytechnic Diploma and international qualification holders may apply for the TUM Bachelor degrees. Find out more about the programmes offered >>
Interested students may apply for the TUM Bachelor of Science programmes from January to March each year by selecting the TUM Bachelor programmes: www.tum-asia.edu.sg/adm